YOU'RE FIRED

Valid reasons why an author might "fire" a freelance editor:

1) The editor does not listen to the author's vision for the book and attempts to impose his/her own vision onto the book.

2) The editor does not seek ongoing input from the author while in the process of revising and polishing.

3) The editor does not adequately explain the rationale for the changes being made.

Inappropriate reasons why an author might "fire" an editor:

1) The author is not receptive to the editor's suggestions and will not take advice.

2) The author thinks that this is the only book the editor is editing and does not recognize that the editor has a schedule that includes other clients. The "me only" author then gets mad because he/she thinks he/she is not getting enough attention.

3) The author may need more changes than was at first evident, and may not want to have to pay for those services.

Also, freelance editors may also choose to "fire" an author if the author is being overly egotistical, does not take direction well, is the kind of person who is phoning or texting the editor every five minutes, or is the kind of person who thinks that editors can wait over 90 days to be paid.

I think it's very important that the author and editor be well-matched in terms of personality and expectations. Otherwise, there can be problems. Most editors end up developing an accurate gut feeling about whether a particular author is someone he/she would like to work with.

Replies

Sharon Lindenburger April 13, 2012 at 1:52pm

Valid reasons why an author might "fire" a freelance editor:

1) The editor does not listen to the author's vision for the book and attempts to impose his/her own vision onto the book.

2) The editor does not seek ongoing input from the author while in the process of revising and polishing.

3) The editor does not adequately explain the rationale for the changes being made.

Inappropriate reasons why an author might "fire" an editor:

1) The author is not receptive to the editor's suggestions and will not take advice.

2) The author thinks that this is the only book the editor is editing and does not recognize that the editor has a schedule that includes other clients. The "me only" author then gets mad because he/she thinks he/she is not getting enough attention.

3) The author may need more changes than was at first evident, and may not want to have to pay for those services.

Also, freelance editors may also choose to "fire" an author if the author is being overly egotistical, does not take direction well, is the kind of person who is phoning or texting the editor every five minutes, or is the kind of person who thinks that editors can wait over 90 days to be paid.

I think it's very important that the author and editor be well-matched in terms of personality and expectations. Otherwise, there can be problems. Most editors end up developing an accurate gut feeling about whether a particular author is someone he/she would like to work with.
Dick Margulis April 13, 2012 at 1:00pm

I work for myself. I can't be fired. A client can decide to pull the plug on a project or can choose to terminate our relationship in accordance with our contract. And I can do the same from my side. But there's no firing going on, because there was no hiring going on. That's the beauty of the system.
- Ekta R. Garg > Dick Margulis April 18, 2012 at 5:02pm
  
  I feel exactly the same way, and although 10 years ago I swore I'd never be a full-time freelancer now I wouldn't want to do anything else!
- Glenda J. Findley > Dick Margulis April 14, 2012 at 10:28am
  
  Excellent answer ... I couldn't agree more!

This reply was deleted.

Freelance Editors

YOU'RE FIRED

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